Printing and delivery of digital images and text via a central receiving agency

ABSTRACT

A method of printing hardcopy images, includes electronically transmitting a plurality of digital images and information identifying the locations of a plurality of recipients from a remote location over a communications channel to a central receiving agency; storing the plurality of digital images and the information identifying the locations of a plurality of recipients in a memory at the central receiving agency; a user selecting a recipient and selecting a particular stored digital image from the plurality of digital images, and authorizing the printing of the particular stored digital image; using the information identifying the location of the recipient to select a local printing station for the recipient from a plurality of local printing stations; transmitting the particular digital image to the selected local printing station; and printing the particular stored digital image at the selected local printing station to produce a hardcopy image.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/416,697.Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/359,152 filed Jul. 22, 1999, entitled “Authorizing the Printing ofDigital Images”, by David L. Patton et al and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/378,159 filed Aug. 19, 1999, entitled “System forCustomizing and Ordering Personalized Postage Stamps” by David L. Pattonet al, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to electronically transmitting a digitalimage over a channel to a central receiving agency, which causes ahardcopy of the image to be delivered to the locations of differentrecipients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,215 discloses a method forviewing photographic images on a personal computer and enabling a useror consumer to select images for initial printing, reprinting andordering related image products.

[0004] Photographic negatives often are provided to a scanner to obtainimage data. The image data is manipulated to provide a positive image inthe case of the photographic negatives and sent to the user's personalcomputer. The desired images are then selected and order information isprovided, based on the positive image as displayed on the display of thepersonal computer. The order information is recorded to permit thedesired prints and services to be created and the resulting order issent to the location. The following can also be used as sources ofimages to be selected for prints and other services; image files storedin digital format on floppy disks, Picture CDs, Photo CDs, CD-ROMs, downloaded from the Internet, and negatives and prints scanned using ascanner and displayed on a personal computer's display.

[0005] The above cited patent and patent applications describe methodsand systems by which a user or consumer can create or receive digitalfiles of their images. Also described are how user or consumers can sendthese image files to a central receiving agency with authorization forthese image files to be printed and various types of hardcopy productsto be created.

[0006] These same user or consumers frequently use their personalcomputers to send images attached to e-mail messages to friends andrelatives that also own personal computers that are connected toelectronic communications systems such as the Internet. The problem is amajority of the people in the world does not own or have access topersonal computers or have ready access to the Internet. Therefore theydo not have the capability to receiver images electronically fromfriends and relatives who do. In some cases where user or consumers haveInternet access at their place of employment they do not have theability to print a color high quality image from the image file theyreceive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide anexpeditious way of delivering printed images to recipients at one ormore different locations.

[0008] It is a further object that the printed images can have text orgraphic information.

[0009] These objects are achieved by a method of printing hardcopyimages, comprising:

[0010] (a) electronically transmitting a plurality of digital images andinformation identifying the locations of a plurality of recipients froma remote location over a communications channel to a central receivingagency;

[0011] (b) storing the plurality of digital images and the informationidentifying the locations of a plurality of recipients in a memory atthe central receiving agency;

[0012] (c) a user selecting a recipient and selecting a particularstored digital image from the plurality of digital images, andauthorizing the printing of the particular stored digital image;

[0013] (d) using the information identifying the location of therecipient to select a local printing station for the recipient from aplurality of local printing stations;

[0014] (e) transmitting the particular digital image to the selectedlocal printing station; and

[0015] (f) printing the particular stored digital image at the selectedlocal printing station to produce a hardcopy image.

[0016] It is a feature of the present invention that images and text canbe conveniently printed at remote printing locations where they can bedelivered to desired recipients such as by mail or courier service. Theuser(s) or a third party such as an sponsor can conveniently be chargedfor the printing and delivery of the printed image to each of therecipients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for remotely selectingimages and transmitting the selected images to a central receivingagency where they can be delivered to a remote printing location fordelivery of the images to the designated recipients at differentlocations;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing how a user or consumer selects animage, an image locator and completes a user or consumer informationform;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a flow chart continuing the flow chart of FIG. 2 showinghow selected images and user or consumer information form are sent tothe central receiving agency;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a flow chart continuing the flow chart of FIG. 3 showinghow selected images are authorized by the central receiving agency andsent to a local printing station; and

[0021]FIG. 5 is a flow chart continuing the flow chart of FIG. 4 showinghow the selected image is received by the local printing station, ahardcopy is produced, delivered to the designated recipients, while theuser or consumer is charged and notified of the delivery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a system fordelivering printed images to one or more recipients. The images can beincluded in a digital file. The digital file also includes image locatorinformation. The image locator information can be a name associated withthe digital image. This name can be used by a central receiving agency80 to sort the image file in a particular location for retrieval. Moreparticularly a set of personal images 30 is viewed at a remote location10 on a personal computer 20 or interactive TV (not shown) or anyInternet-capable appliance or device (not shown). The source of thepersonal images 30 can be image files stored in digital format on floppyand hard disks, Picture CDs, Photo CDs, and CD-ROMs. The image files canalso be down loaded from the Internet using a system such as Kodak'sPhotoNet, or negatives and prints can be scanned using the user's ownfilm scanner 45 or print scanner 55 and displayed on their personalcomputer's display 60. A selected image 40, text, image locatorinformation and the location of the recipient are electronicallytransmitted as signals from the remote location 10 over a communicationchannel 90 to the central receiving agency 80 where the information isreceived and stored in memory 105. The transmitted user or consumerinformation is comprised of, but not limited to, the user's location,credit card number, user or consumer authorization, image locatorinformation and number of prints, text and graphics to be printed anddelivered to the location of one or more recipients. The user orconsumer has the option of designating the size and quality level atwhich the prints are to be made and the type of media to be used toproduce the printed image. The media can typically be paper, but can beas diverse as ceramic or plastic mugs or cloth or polymeric materials.

[0023] The digital file includes the locator of the selected image 40and the user or consumer information are sent via a modem 70 to thecentral receiving agency 80 such as the U.S. Postal Service over thecommunication channel 90, such as the Internet. The central receivingagency 80 receives the image file and/or image locator information anduser or consumer information via a modem 115, and using a central server95 records, and stores the image file and/or image locator informationand user or consumer information in memory 105. The central receivingagency 80 views the selected image 40 and user or consumer informationon a monitor 110 and authorizes when identified by a user or consumerthe printing of a modified image 125 with text and graphics at thecentral receiving agency 80 or at a particular local printing station120. A user or consumer causes the electronic transmission of thedigital images and locator information from a location remote from andover the communication channel 90 such as telephone lines into a memorylocation in the central receiving agency 80. A user or consumer cansimultaneously at this time cause a stored image in memory using thecorresponding image locator information and the location of one or morerecipients to transmit these data to the printing location for each ofthe recipients. The images are printed at these locations and thendelivered by mail or courier to each of the recipients. The identifyingstep can be simultaneously with or at a later time than the electronictransmitting step.

[0024] After receiving the image file including image locatorinformation at the central receiving agency 80, the selected image 40can be modified in such a way that the image is different from theoriginal and the results are stored in memory 105 for future use. Forexample, but not by way of limitation, text or graphics may be added, orthe color of the image, or a portion thereof, may be adjusted bycropping, enlarging or repositioning. The resulting modified image 125is then stored in memory 105 and its location identified for future use.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the image filebefore delivery to the central receiving agency can include text orgraphics or other image modifications. The text or graphics can beprinted on or with the image.

[0025] The central receiving agency 80 transmits the particularinformation to printing location 120 which corresponds to one or morerecipients. The recipients can be listed on a distribution list providedby a personal computer 20 at the remote location 10. After the centralreceiving agency 80 has determine that a user is authorized to transmitimages to one or more recipients, such images are transmitted to eachprinting location 120 for printing and delivery to the one or morerecipients.

[0026] A hardcopy 126 of the image as modified including text orgraphics 129 is now printed at each of the local printing stations 120.A hardcopy 126 of the modified image 125 and text or graphics 129 arepackaged as designated by number 127 and delivered to each designatedrecipient. At the designated printing location 120, the hardcopy 126 ofthe image and text or graphics 129 are packaged as designated by number127 and delivered to the location of the recipient via the mail or acourier service such as Federal Express or DHL. Because the user orconsumer has the option of designating the size and quality of thehardcopy print 126 and the media type, a variety of digital printerchoices are necessary. The hardcopy 126 of the image and text orgraphics 129 can be printed using a thermal printer 130 such as a KODAKPS 8650 Color Printer or a KODAK Photo Printer 4700 or a minilab 131.Other types of digital printers such as a KODAK CRT Digital ColorPrinter, a Hewlett Packard Deskjet 870Cix Inkjet Printer, or a digitalelectrophotographic printer such as an Indigo—E—1000 can be used toproduce the hard copy 126.

[0027] Now referring to FIG. 2 there is provided a flow chart showinghow a user or consumer selects an image, an image locator and transmitsthem over a communication channel to the central receiving agency. Theuser or consumer selects the images from their image files to bedisplayed 200. The user or consumer selects 210 the selected image 40 tobe delivered to the recipient from the images displayed on the computerdisplay 60. The user or consumer then fills out 220 the user or consumerinformation form 230. The user or consumer information form 230 containsbut is not limited to the user's address, credit card number, imagelocator information 232, user or consumer authorization code 235, thequality, size and number of prints, the media type and the address ofthe recipient or recipients. The user or consumer can also specifywhether text and graphics 129 is to be added to the selected image 40before the selected image 40 is delivered to the recipient. The centralreceiving agency 80 uses the image locator information 232 andauthorization code 235 to access the selected image 40 for printing. Theimage locator information 232 can be a name associated with the digitalimage. This name can be used by the central receiving agency 80 to sortthe image file in a particular location for retrieval. The authorizationcode 235 can be linked to the user's credit card number similarly to theway a pin number is linked to a credit card and is well known in theart. The linking of the authorization code 235 to the user's credit cardnumber can be done for added security but is not necessary. The centralreceiving agency 80 can use the authorization code 235 as a customerorder number. The central receiving agency 80 can also use theauthorization code 235 to inform the user or consumer the selected image40 was approved and sent to the designated recipient. The user orconsumer can add text 240 to the selected image 40. If the user orconsumer decides to add a text message 245, the user or consumer typesthe text message which becomes part of the user or consumer informationform 230. After the user or consumer decides to add or not to add a textmessage 245, the user or consumer can decide to add graphics. Nowreferring to FIG. 3, which flows from FIG. 2, the user or consumer canadd graphics to a selected image 250. If the user or consumer decides toadd graphics, the user or consumer provides a graphics locatorinformation 255. The graphics locator information 255 can be a nameassociated with the graphic. The central receiving agency 80 can use thegraphics locator information 255 to sort a graphics file in a particularlocation for retrieval. The user or consumer can decide not to addgraphics locator information 255. After deciding to add or not to addgraphics, the user or consumer prepares to transmit the order. After theuser or consumer has selected an image, text and graphics, and completedthe information form 230, the user or consumer transmits 260 theselected image locator information 232, text and graphics locatorinformation 255, and user or consumer information form 230 to thecentral receiving agency 80. The central receiving agency 80 receives265 the selected image locator information 232, text and graphicslocator information 255, and user or consumer information form 230 andstores 270 the received items in memory 105.

[0028] Now referring FIG. 4, which continues the flow chart of FIG. 3and shows how selected image 40, text and graphics 129 and user orconsumer information form 230 are displayed 275 on a monitor 110 at thecentral receiving agency 80, and checked 280. The central receivingagency 80 determines 285 the location of the local printing station 120closest to the designated recipient and authorizes the local printingstation 120 to print 290 the selected image 40 and text and graphics 129and deliver a hardcopy 126 to the designated recipient.

[0029] Now referring to FIG. 5, which flows from FIG. 4 and shows howthe local printing station 120 closest to the designated recipientreceives 295 the selected image 40 and associated text and graphics 129.The local printing station 120 prints 300 a hardcopy 126 of the selectedimage 40 and associated text and graphics 129, packages as designated bynumber 127 and delivers 305 the hardcopy 126 to the designatedrecipient. The local printing station 120 notifies 310 the centralreceiving agency 80 that the hardcopy 126 was delivered. The centralreceiving agency 80 notifies 315 the user or consumer that the hardcopy126 was delivered and charges the user or consumer's credit cardaccount.

[0030] It will be understood the present invention is not limited to theprinting and delivery of images but is equally applicable to theprinting and delivery of post cards, greeting cards, or the like.

[0031] The invention has been described in detail with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will beunderstood that variations and modifications can be effected within thespirit and scope of the invention.

PARTS LIST

[0032]10 remote location

[0033]20 personal computer

[0034]30 personal images

[0035]40 selected images

[0036]45 film scanner

[0037]55 print scanner

[0038]60 display

[0039]70 modem

[0040]80 central receiving agency

[0041]90 communication channel

[0042]95 server

[0043]105 memory

[0044]110 monitor

[0045]115 modem

[0046]120 local printing station

[0047]125 image

[0048]126 hardcopy

[0049]127 packaged image

[0050]129 text and graphics

[0051]130 thermal printer

[0052]131 minilab

[0053]200 view selected images

[0054]210 consumer selects

[0055]220 fill out user or consumer order form

[0056]230 user or consumer order form

[0057]232 image locator

[0058]235 authorization code

[0059]240 decision block

[0060]245 text message

[0061]250 decision block

[0062]255 graphics locator information

[0063]260 transmission to central receiving agency

[0064]265 central receiving agency receives information

[0065]270 central receiving agency stores information

[0066]275 information displayed

[0067]280 image check

[0068]285 determine local printing station

[0069]290 authorize printing

[0070]295 local printing station receives print

[0071]300 hardcopy produced

[0072]305 hardcopy delivered

[0073]310 central receiving agency notified

[0074]315 user or consumer notified and charged

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of printing hardcopy images, comprising:(a) electronically transmitting a plurality of digital images andinformation identifying the locations of a plurality of recipients froma remote location over a communications channel to a central receivingagency; (b) storing the plurality of digital images and the informationidentifying the locations of a plurality of recipients in a memory atthe central receiving agency; (c) a user selecting a recipient andselecting a particular stored digital image from the plurality ofdigital images, and authorizing the printing of the particular storeddigital image; (d) using the information identifying the location of therecipient to select a local printing station for the recipient from aplurality of local printing stations; (e) transmitting the particulardigital image to the selected local printing station; and (f) printingthe particular stored digital image at the selected local printingstation to produce a hardcopy image.
 2. The method of claim 1 furtherincluding delivering the hardcopy image from the local printing stationto location of the recipient.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein thedelivery is provided by a postal service
 4. The method of claim 2wherein the remote printing station notifies the central receivingagency that the hardcopy image has been delivered.
 5. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the hardcopy is packaged prior to delivery.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the particular stored digital image ismodified before it is transmitted to the selected local printingstation.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the modified particular storeddigital image is stored in the memory at the central receiving agency.8. The method of claim 1 wherein the user authorizes the printing byproviding an authorization code.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein theauthorization code is linked to a credit card number.
 10. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the user authorizes the sending and printing of text,graphics or both with the image.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein theuser authorizes the sending of the image to two or more differentrecipients.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the image is printed atdifferent locations for different recipients.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the user authorizes the and printing of text, graphics or bothwith the image.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the central receivingagency stores graphics that are accessible to the user for ordering theprinting of images and graphics.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein thecentral receiving agency verifies that an image is suitable for printingand sending to a recipient.